Vineyard Worker

Job description

Workers will perform duties associated with the farming of wine grapes and other related agricultural activities. Position requires hands-on involvement in most facets of vineyard management to prepare grape crop for the harvest, which includes: plant and stake new vineyards, vine suckering, leaf removal, remove vines, ground preparation, cluster thinning, erosion control, shoot positioning, canopy work, trellis system installation and repair, maintenance of fencing surrounding the vineyards, train young vines, drip system installation and repair, remove weeds with long-handled hoes, pruning, vineyard layout, root and rock picking and preparation, removal of stones, tree roots and other debris, perform basic cleanup, maintenance related to the promotion of high-quality vineyards and perform other similar duties relating to vineyard management. Later in the season, workers will perform duties associated with the harvest of wine grapes, which will include harvesting wine grapes with pruning shears or grape harvest knife. Place grapes into bins, tubs and other similar containers and empty grapes into gondolas that are situated on slow-moving tractors in the vineyards. The employer will provide all tools and equipment necessary to perform all required tasks at no cost to the worker, which may include pruning shears, weed eaters, loppers, hedgers, long-handled rakes, hoes and shovels and other similar equipment. Workers will not perform weeding activities by hand in a stopped, kneeling or squatting position. Work is performed outdoors and can involve exposure to extreme temperatures, bright sunlight, cloudy, windy or rainy conditions, mud and dust, low light or darkness and other natural elements. The work may entail exposure to plant pollens, insects, snakes, rodents, noxious plants and/or plant materials that have been treated with insect and/or disease control spray. Workers must walk in variable soil conditions. Workers should come prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear for the working conditions described.
Qualifying workers may operate specialized vineyard tractor machinery after undergoing several hours of safety training and passing a hands-on tractor driving exam. Qualifying workers must demonstrate willingness, basic knowledge of driving a vineyard tractor and the ability to operate agricultural machinery in a safe manner. Tractor drivers will be responsible for movement of tractors in, around and between vineyard rows, fields, ranches, trees, and row markers with or without loaded attachments, which may include loaded or empty trailers, rollers, mowers, pull blast sprayer and discs. Hitch and unhitching attachments. Sit for long periods of time. Mount and dismount equipment. Operate breaks, gears, pedals, reading gauges and steering controls while driving. Refuel and maintain tractor operations to ensure optimum performance. Conduct daily maintenance checks prior to operating the tractor.

Qualifying candidates may also drive vehicles to assist company with transportation of H-2A and U.S. corresponding employees who live in the housing. Driving will involve picking up workers to and from different housing sites and the daily assigned work sites. Drivers must possess a valid state driver's license, must be able to pass a medical exam and register as an FLCE driver with the Department of Labor. The employer will be responsible for the cost of the state driver's license, medical exam and registration as an FLCE driver. All employees in this position will be given the opportunity to obtain a driver's license and register as an FLCE driver on a voluntary basis.

Special Requirements

Qualifying workers must have one month of agricultural experience working in grape vineyard activities. All qualified applicants must have the authorization to work in the United States, be willing to perform the agricultural duties as described in this job order and be able to meet the physical demands of the position and the employer's work schedule with or without reasonable accommodation.